Her magic dimmed, pulling inward.While she'd been growing up in a house with her own bed and her own space—even if that space came with Cottonmouth's constant criticism—Tim had been essentially homeless, hiding his true nature and making do with whatever scraps of comfort he could find.
And now here she was, getting ready to ride shotgun with him into what would probably be a disaster of epic proportions.Cottonmouth would absolutely lose his mind if he knew.His precious stepdaughter, the one he'd spent years trying to mold into respectable wife material, was about to run off with exactly the kind of male he'd warned her away from.
Dangerous supernatural with a history of violence.That's how he'd described Big Timber, like being big and strong automatically made someone a threat.Never mind that Tim moved like he was afraid of breaking things, that he'd built this truck with his own hands, that other truckers clearly respected him.
But then again, Cottonmouth saw monsters everywhere he looked, especially when they didn't fit his narrow definition of acceptable.And Ali had spent years believing his version of truth, to avoid his disapproval.
Well, screw that.She was done living her life according to his prejudices.Even if her current life choices were looking increasingly like the setup to a supernatural romance novel.
Chapter One: Innocent photographer meets mysterious cryptid trucker.Chapter Two: Sexual tension reaches dangerous levels.Chapter Three: Someone gets claimed against a truck.
Ali shook her head, trying to dispel that particular mental image.She was here for a story, not to become the heroine of her own paranormal romance.
"Where are we going?"she asked as they pulled out of Moonbeam's parking lot.
"Supply depot first.Then I'll show you what we're really hauling."
They drove through the industrial outskirts of town while Ali tried to maintain some semblance of professional behavior.Which was difficult when every breath filled her lungs with Tim's scent and her magic purred with approval.Her camera was still throwing off occasional sparks, and she was pretty sure the electrical system in the truck was responding to her magical overload.
This was the biological override nonsense that made supernatural relationships so complicated.Her body had apparently decided Tim was perfect mate material and was now broadcasting that fact to anyone with supernatural senses within a fifty-mile radius.
Meanwhile, her brain was trying to remind her that she'd known him for approximately thirty minutes and getting claimed by cryptids was not on her career development plan.
The supply depot turned out to be a nondescript warehouse in an industrial complex that had seen better decades.Tim backed up to a loading dock with the skill of someone who could parallel park an eighteen-wheeler in a space the size of a shoebox.
"Stay close," he said as they climbed out."And let me do the talking."
Ali bristled at the command, even though her traitorous body wanted to sidle closer to his side."I can handle myself."
"I know you can."His voice carried a note of respect that surprised her."But Snowman's been paranoid lately, and strange humans make him nervous."
"Snowman?"
"You'll see."
The warehouse interior was a maze of medical supplies and equipment, but what caught Ali's attention was the creature waiting for them.Massive even by cryptid standards, with white fur covering arms the size of tree trunks and pale blue eyes that held the cold of mountain peaks.
"Holy shit," Ali muttered."That's a yeti."
"Timber," the yeti said, his voice carrying the rumble of distant avalanches."Good to see you, brother.And you brought the photographer."
"Snowman."Tim's voice carried genuine affection."Everything ready?"
"Loaded and secured.Though I have to say, the client's getting nervous about the timeline."Snowman's pale eyes fixed on Ali with unsettling intensity."Word is Cottonmouth's been sniffing around the shipping manifests again."
Of course.Of course he was involved in whatever this was.
"Sheriff Cottonmouth?"she asked, though she already knew the answer.
"You know him?"Snowman's voice dropped to a growl that made the warehouse's metal framework vibrate.
"He's my stepfather," Ali said, ignoring Tim's sharp look."And before you ask, no, I don't know what he's up to.He doesn't exactly share his corruption schemes over family dinner."
The silence stretched uncomfortably before Snowman spoke again."Timber, we need to talk.Privately."
"No."Tim's voice carried a note of authority that made both Ali and the yeti straighten."She's with me.Whatever you need to say, you can say in front of her."
The possessive claim in his voice made her wet as hell, which was really not helping her concentration.She was supposed to be gathering information for her story, not getting turned on by displays of alpha male dominance.
